Ulverstone’s senior NWBU teams will have two new coaches for the 2019 season, but the faces are definitely familiar to those around the club. John Fox takes over the reins of the men’s program from Phil Thomas after five years at the helm of the women’s team which included a premiership in 2015. He is no stranger to the men’s side, having led them to success in 1999, but will inherit a side that has failed to make finals the past two seasons and is undergoing a rebuild. “I helped Phil with under 22s last year and he didn’t want to do it this year so I took over,” Fox said. “It was probably time for a change for me – it had been 20 years since I last coached the senior men. “The depth within the team is not quite there these days – last time I was in charge I had the likes of Ben Murfet coming off the bench – and certainly the social aspect of it has changed as well. “ Fox said he will be looking to recruit a centre and a point guard after the retirement of several veteran players, and also hopes 2018 import Bryan Umoru will also be back. “We’ll be looking around for one or two experienced players to help out and we are in talks at the moment to at getting import Bryan to return. “He was great around the club last season and people around the club wanted to know if he was coming back or not.” Taking over Fox’s role with the women’s team will be Melissa Budgeon, who is also back for a second stint after a 13-year absence. While there have been some key player losses, Budgeon is confident of another strong showing from what will predominantly a young group. “A lot of the under 18 girls I coached this year will form the senior team for next season and I have complete faith in their ability and have put the challenge out to them to step up and be mature basketballers,” Budgeon said. “I was given an opportunity myself as a young teenager and I think that’s important for young girls. “A big focus for me will be in and around creating a good team atmosphere because I came from an era where there was a really good close team, and I think this group has got the makings of that. “If you enjoy the company of one another, you can transfer that out onto the court. “We will definitely gain a few former players as well and Ella (Fox) is still recovering from her knee injury but will be in the mix as the season goes on.”

John Fox and Melissa Budgeon appointed as Ulverstone's NWBU men's and women's coaches for 2019

Ulverstone’s senior NWBU teams will have two new coaches for the 2019 season, but the faces are definitely familiar to those around the club.

Ready to hop to it: New Ulverstone coaches for the 2019 NWBU season, John Fox and Melissa Budgeon. Picture: Brad Cole.

John Fox takes over the reins of the men’s program from Phil Thomas after five years at the helm of the women’s team which included a premiership in 2015.

He is no stranger to the men’s side, having led them to success in 1999, but will inherit a side that has failed to make finals the past two seasons and is undergoing a rebuild.

“I helped Phil with under 22s last year and he didn’t want to do it this year so I took over,” Fox said.

“It was probably time for a change for me – it had been 20 years since I last coached the senior men.

“The depth within the team is not quite there these days – last time I was in charge I had the likes of Ben Murfet coming off the bench – and certainly the social aspect of it has changed as well. “

It was probably time for a change for me – it had been 20 years since I last coached the senior men.

New Ulverstone men's coach, John Fox.

Fox said he will be looking to recruit a centre and a point guard after the retirement of several veteran players, and also hopes 2018 import Bryan Umoru will also be back.

“We’ll be looking around for one or two experienced players to help out and we are in talks at the moment to at getting import Bryan to return.

“He was great around the club last season and people around the club wanted to know if he was coming back or not.”

Taking over Fox’s role with the women’s team will be Melissa Budgeon, who is also back for a second stint after a 13-year absence.

While there have been some key player losses, Budgeon is confident of another strong showing from what will predominantly a young group.

“A lot of the under 18 girls I coached this year will form the senior team for next season and I have complete faith in their ability and have put the challenge out to them to step up and be mature basketballers,” Budgeon said.

“I was given an opportunity myself as a young teenager and I think that’s important for young girls.

A big focus for me will be in and around creating a good team atmosphere because I came from an era where there was a really good close team, and I think this group has got the makings of that.

New Ulverstone women's coach, Melissa Budgeon

“A big focus for me will be in and around creating a good team atmosphere because I came from an era where there was a really good close team, and I think this group has got the makings of that.

“If you enjoy the company of one another, you can transfer that out onto the court.

“We will definitely gain a few former players as well and Ella (Fox) is still recovering from her knee injury but will be in the mix as the season goes on.”